More Tales of the City

I first became aware of Maupin's "Tales of the City" a little while ago while reading a book review in the Wall Street Journal. I added it to a list of books that I'd like to find and read some day. The review must have intrigued me, because when I saw it on Amazon the title caught my eye. I read the reviews and decided it would be a good purchase. Clearly it was, since this is the 2nd book in the series. It's very hard to put this book into categories. It's definitely fiction. Maupin's people in this world (San Francisco in, if I remember correctly, the 1970's? Late '70s?) weave throughout their own plotlines and those of the other characters in the book. The core group live in an unusual boarding house, run by an eccentric woman "of a certain age," who takes her boarders into her "family." Naturally, these family members also have family and friends (and other types of associates) from their lives outside of the house. Sometimes some of them move in (with or without an established boarder) or out, depending upon the circumstances of their unique and quite interesting lives. San Francisco has long been known as a haven for eccentrics, artists, people of various sexual identities and old, wealthy society. Maupin's characters travel across these societal, sexual, gender and career lines freely and often. There are frightening villains, but they always receive their comeuppance in appropriate (sometimes humorous, sometimes graphic) ways. I strongly recommend you give this…

I've watched all three of the "Tales of the City" mini-series several times, but never read any opt the books. After getting my kindle for Christmas I decided to read the books. Reading the first book was a blast and the second was just as good. Reading the book was almost as if I was watching the film version. half way through the book I even pulled out the DVD's and watched it. I would say the film adaptation was about 95% on with the book. There were a few changes in the film version, but they made a little more sense that way, but for the most part the book and the film were identical. I live the characters in the book and I plan on reading all 8 of the books in sequence. The only book I ever read from the series before getting the Kindle was "Michael Tolliver Lives" which is the 7th book in the series, and I read that when it was first published based on my watching the film adaptations of the first 3 books. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. I am now starting "Further Tales of the City" and I suspect it will be just like the film. I am really looking forward to reading all of the books in sequence.

Lived near or in the city by the bidet for decades. In the Navy and before. Beatnik period. Back for the decade of the seventies. I coulda and shoulda written my version. What a story That would be. Armistead, a great read for the third or fourth time.

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If you are after a great series that spans decades with strong characters this is a very special urban tale of a very unique apartment building and its tenants. It can be addictive and my might end up getting very distracted and into the crazy world of Michael, Mary ann (baby cakes) and Mrs.Madrigal. Its beautifully written and very enjoyable. Give it a read, you'll love it.